Cattle Breeds

The concept of breeds is a relatively recent one. A breed is not the same as what is called a landrace. The latter is a genetic stock in a particular area which has adapted over the centuries to the local conditions. A breed has been bred in controlled conditions, with documentation in the form of a herd book. One can become the other; for example, Highland cattle prior to the mid-19th century were a landrace, but more recently have become a breed (herd book established 1885).